Inside US Open champion Alexander Zverev’s amazing lifestyle, from managing Type 1 diabetes to love of Mario Kart

US Open champion Alexander Zverev is riding the crest of a wave.

On Sunday at Flushing Meadows, he defeated American Ben Shelton to record his second Grand Slam Title.

Away from the court, the 29-year-old German tennis star boasts an amazing lifestyle.

He has battled Type 1 diabetes since the age of 4, and when he’s on court he monitors his blood sugar levels using a mobile phone device and a continuous glucose monitor.

Romantically, Zverev is in a relationship with German model Sophia Thomalla, who once dated Bush rocker Gavin Rossdale and footballer Loris Karius.

However, he was accused of violence and domestic assault by two exes, Olya Sharypova in 2020 and Brenda Patea in 2023.

Battling diabetes

Since he was just 4, Zverev has had to contend with Type 1 diabetes.

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He kept his chronic illness quiet until 2022, but now is regularly seen on court using a CDM that’s connected to a mobile phone via bluetooth to monitor his blood sugar levels.

He also keeps insulin close to him in case he needs it during a game.

After his brilliant US Open win, Zverev thanked his mum for her role in helping him belief he could achieve his sporting dreams while managing his conditions, despite what doctors said when he was young.

According to Zverev, when his mum was told by doctors he would live a “very, very limited” life, she refused to accept that belief.

She told medical professionals that her son could become “whatever he wants to be” and the diagnoses would not define them as a family.

Zverev’s was full of admiration for his mother, who he called the strongest person he knows.

Love life

Since 2020, Zverev has been romantically involved with German TV star, Sophia Thomalla.

Before hooking up with him, the former model had a penchant for rock stars.

She dated Rammstein singer Till Lindemann for four years from 2011 to 2015.

Then, she married Norwegian heavy metal star Andy LaPlegua from Icon of Coil.

After less than a year together, they divorced and she shacked up with Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale.

Thomalla also had a romance with one-time Liverpool goalie, Loris Karius from 2019 to 2020.

Before getting together with Thomalla, Zverev’s romantic life was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

Former lover Olya Sharypova claimed she was domestically abused by Zverev in 2020, although she did not pursue criminal charges against her ex partner.

Zverev consistently denied her claims, and in 2023 the Association of Tennis Professionals concluded there was “insufficient evidence” against Zverev in their 15-month investigation.

That same year, German model Brenda Patea accused Zverev of physical assault.

They were in a relationship for a year from 2019 to 2020, with their daughter, Mayla born in 2021.

A German criminal court fined Zverev around £390,000, which he contested, and a public trial in Berlin was ordered.

However, the two settled out of court – with Zverev paying around £170,000 to both the German state and charity.

The settlement included no admission or finding of guilt.

Mario Kart

In 2024, after winning the Masters tournament semi-final, Zverev was asked about his pre-tournament relaxation methods.

Amusingly, he declared “I love Mario Kart” and revealing he plays multiple rounds of the racing game on his Nintendo Switch with his brother, Mischa.

He also joked that he has played more Mario Kart Grand Prix races in his life than actual tennis matches.

For Zverev, it provides the ultimate distraction from the pressures on the court.

There’s also a belief that the video game has a lot in common with tennis because of its unpredictable turns and sudden setbacks.

Luxury lifestyle

As he lifted the US Open trophy on Sunday, eagle-eyed viewers would have spotted Zverev wearing a stunning watch.

The timepiece he was sporting was Jacob & Co.’s ‘The World Is Yours’ Dual Time Zone Tourbillon, which costs around £210,000.

Zverev is an ambassador for the Jacob & C0., and has been noted to wear Richard Mille watches too that are worth around £300,000.

His life of luxury doesn’t end there.

He is believed to own an impressive car collection. Zverev has been spotted in Monte Carlo behind the wheel of a Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut hypercar worth around £2.2million.